Fuel Management

Calif. City Switching to Renewable Diesel

September 11, 2015
• by Staff

File photo

The City of Walnut Creek, Calif., announced it will begin using renewable diesel to fuel the 60 diesel-powered vehicles in its fleet.

The city’s switch to renewable diesel will reduce its diesel emissions by more than 60 percent, lower petroleum fuel needs by more than 20,000 gallons, and continue efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, according to city Fleet Supervisor Joe Jorgensen. The city has 60 diesel-powered vehicles and equipment, which includes street sweepers, dump trucks, tractors, and mowers.

Like traditional biodiesel, renewable diesel is produced from bio-feedstock sources, including fats, oils and greases. However, renewable diesel is created through a different process. As a result, it can be used directly in any diesel engine without modification, whereas traditional biodiesel must be blended with petroleum diesel, according to a city release.

In 2012, the City of Walnut Creek adopted a Climate Action Plan with an overall greenhouse gas reduction goal of 15% below 2005 levels by the year 2020. The City inventoried greenhouse gas emissions for the year 2005 and found the top three sources of emissions are the transportation sector (59 percent), residential energy use (18 percent), and commercial energy use (18 percent). By using renewable diesel, the city is doing its part to reduce emissions from the transportation sector.

The City of Sacramento (Calif.) Department of Utilities can save money by expanding its vehicle utilization criteria and more accurately track fuel transactions, according to a recent audit by the city auditor.